Volunteer distributing hygiene relief kit in Macedonia village. Photo American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

JNS.org – A US Jewish humanitarian organization partnered with the Jewish community in Macedonia to provide relief assistance to thousands affected by a devastating flood that hit the region a week ago.

The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee (JDC), the Jewish Community of the Republic of Macedonia and the Holocaust Fund of the Jews from Macedonia distributed 1,000 hygiene relief kits to the most vulnerable of flood survivors.

“Our response puts into action the Jewish teaching that every individual life has value and it is our duty to offer care and relief in in times of disaster, no matter a person’s background or faith” said Alan H. Gill, CEO of the JDC. “Our hearts go out to those who lost loved ones, and cherished possessions, as a result of this tragedy.”

The kits, assembled at a Jewish community volunteer event on Sunday, were distributed to 5,000 people in the villages of Stajkovci, Smiljkovci, Brnjarci, Indzikovo and Chento.

“The Jewish Community of the Republic of Macedonia, the Holocaust Fund of the Jews from Macedonia, and our partner JDC extend our sincere sympathy and condolences to all those who have suffered great loss from the natural disaster that struck Skopje and the surrounding regions. We have come together to help victims in need, regardless of religious or ethnic background, in the spirit of tikkun olam, repairing the world,” said the Boards of Directors of the Jewish Community in the Republic of Macedonia and the Holocaust Fund of the Jews from Macedonia.